Browne Urges Commonwealth to Confront Reparations and Historical Injustice
Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Tuesday called on Commonwealth nations to engage in open, mature discussions on reparations for slavery and colonialism, describing the issue as one of justice and reconciliation rather than blame.
Speaking at the official launch of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Antigua and Barbuda will host next November, Browne said the topic should no longer be avoided within the Commonwealth family. He stated that the government “will not use the issue of reparations to shame any nation,” but instead urged that countries “should be able to have very honest discussions about the issue of reparations and to establish a framework in which we can discuss this issue honestly and resolve it in a mutually satisfactory manner.”
Browne told delegates and diplomats gathered at Sandals Grande Antigua that the Commonwealth — a grouping of 56 nations representing 2.7 billion people — has a responsibility to lead on issues of justice, just as it once did in confronting apartheid and championing climate action. “Our Commonwealth, which fought against the scourge of apartheid, which led boldly the call to limit 1.5 degrees in the climate debates, and which presents a model for how countries can cooperate as equals, is a forum to show global leadership on issues of justice — both environmental and historical,” he said.
The Prime Minister framed the question of reparations as part of a broader moral duty to correct historic wrongs and promote equitable development among nations. He said member states must “right the wrongs committed against our forebears” and ensure that any resulting process contributes to unity rather than division.
Browne’s appeal came as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to host CHOGM 2026 under the theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.” He said the meeting would serve as a platform for small states to push for fairness and inclusion in global policy, including long-standing demands for economic redress and reform.
The Prime Minister’s remarks positioned reparations alongside other key priorities — climate resilience, international financial reform, and global peace — as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s agenda for what he described as a “transformative CHOGM.”
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